LOUDONVILLE — James R. Tootle, Ph.D., base ball historian and 27-year member of the Ohio Village Muffins vintage base ball club, will be the featured speaker at a special Vintage Base Ball Spring Training Seminar on Saturday, April 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the Loudonville Public Library.
Hosted by The Mohican Rivermen vintage base ball club, this second annual Spring Training Seminar will serve to bring together players and fans alike to learn more about the fascinating history of early base ball and plans for the season ahead.
Consisting of players from the former Admirals of Perrysville and Buzzards of Loudonville, the Rivermen are sponsored by Perrysville’s Cowen Truck Line and Buzzard’s Family Shoes in Loudonville.
“Vintage base ball is a unique combination of athletic contest, living history, and outdoor theatre, transporting players and spectators alike to that fascinating and innocent time when athletes gathered on the diamond for recreation, exercise, and pure enjoyment,” says Tootle, author of “Vintage Base Ball: Recapturing the National Pastime.”
Following the seminar, local players will warm up on Central Park (weather permitting), inviting the public to “have a catch” with an authentic vintage base ball and examine several bats and uniforms designed in the vintage style.
Vintage base ball is baseball played by the rules and customs of the 19th century, specifically recreating America’s favorite pastime as played by 1864 rules. Unlike today’s modern baseball teams, vintage clubs play without benefit of gloves. Fair or foul balls caught on one bounce are considered outs. Player conduct, both on and off the field, seeks to honor the highest standards of sportsmanship, gentlemanly behavior, courtesy and respect for others.
The Mohican Rivermen will play five home dates during 2017 on the McMullen “Field of Dreams” behind McMullen Elementary School in Loudonville. (Schedule attached.) Their first game is away in Smithville against the Smithville Stars on Saturday, May 21.
Softball and amateur ball players are being sought to fill key positions. For more information, call Brian Hartzell at 567-215- 3236, or email hartzell56@hotmail.com.
2017 Mohican Rivermen
A Vintage Base Ball Club (1864 Rules)
(Schedule (as of March 19, 2017)
Saturday, April 8 — Spring Training Seminar at Loudonville.
Sunday, May 7 — Practice at Loudonville.
Sunday, May 14 — Practice and Scrimmage at Loudonville.
Sunday, May 21 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Smithville Stars at Smithville.
Saturday, June 3 – The Mayors Cup at Upper Sandusky (three games).
Saturday, June 17 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Ohio Village Muffins at Loudonville.
Sunday, June 25 – Mohican Rivermen vs. Springfield Long Nine (1 p.m.) and Mohican Rivermen vs. Mansfield Independents (3 p.m.) at Mansfield – 7-inning games.
Sunday, July 9 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Wyandot Ghostriders at Loudonville.
Sunday, July 23 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Smithville Stars at Marshallville.
Sunday, Aug. 6 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Spiegel Grove Squires at Fremont.
Sunday, Aug. 20 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Akron Black Stockings at Loudonville.
Saturday, Sept. 2 — Ohio Cup at Ohio Village, Columbus (three games).
Sunday, Sept. 24 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Eastwood Iron Horses and Losantiville Black Stockings at Dayton (doubleheader).
Sunday, Oct. 8 — Mohican Rivermen vs. Whiskey Island Shamrocks and Canal Dover Red Legs at Loudonville (two games each).
Sunday, Oct. 15 – Mohican Rivermen vs. Butler Bulldogs at Butler (Apple Fest).
Note: All single home games will start at 2 p.m. Doubleheaders begin at 1 p.m.
